CBP Atlanta Seizes over $500k in Counterfeit Cash

There could have been a big cash seizure in Atlanta by CBP, if only the cash was not counterfeit. CBP Atlanta released some news about this very large would-be-cash-seizure, that happened on Halloween. The man who tried to bring it in was a U.S. citizen return from Peru. All the money was hidden, and it was confirmed counterfeit by the United States Secret Service.

It was Halloween however, alert U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at Hartsfield -Jackson Atlanta International Airport couldn’t be tricked by a man attempting to smuggle half a million dollars in counterfeit U.S. currency. CBP officer’s Tuesday, intercepted the 62-year old U.S. Citizen arriving from Peru who had attempted to hide $509,700 in counterfeit U.S. $100 bills in his baggage.

“This seizure demonstrates how U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s border search authority protects American businesses and consumers against counterfeit currency and other illicit products that pose potential harm to our nation and to our economy.” said Carey Davis, CBP’s Port Director for the Area Port of Atlanta. “This is our Border Security work at its finest, and we are proud of the officers involved.”

Agents from the U.S. Secret Service arrived and confirmed that the $100 bills were counterfeit. Secret Service agents took custody of the fake currency and individual. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Georgia is prosecuting.

Has Atlanta CBP seized your cash?

If Atlanta CBP seized your cash, beware that you stand to lose a lot of it because of their aggressive penalization of bulk cash smuggling and structuring offenses. You should read our trusted customs money seizure legal guide and contact our customs lawyer for a free cash seizure consultation by clicking the contact buttons on this page.

Great Lakes Customs Law

The customs law firm represents importers, travelers, and brokers in administrative proceedings before US Customs & Border Protection (USCBP) and at the Court of International Trade and Federal district court.